yesterday -- a $400,000 recycling centre on Devon Springs Road.

The Devonshire facility will cost Government some $300,000 a year to run. It will get around $75,000 back from the sale of newspaper, crushed glass, aluminium and steel.

Brand new separating, shredding and crushing machines put in at the facility this year cost $400,000 and will take about nine men to operate, Government's solid waste manager Mr. Dan Hoornweg said at the unveiling.

The operation of the facility was contracted out to Butterfield Excavation, which will at first run it one day a week. But when the Works and Engineering Ministry announces the start of door-to-door collection of household recyclables, the facility will be in operation for five to six days a week.

Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said yesterday the money spent on the new machines and expanding the facility "showed Government's commitment to the Island's residents and the local and global environment''.

"This is a very auspicious occasion,'' Dr. Terceira told invited guests -- including Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, KBB president Mr. Barry Brewer and Junior Chamber member Mr. Bill Ingham -- before cutting the ribbon across the entrance to the Devon Springs Recycling Facility.

Dr. Terceira noted Mr. Ingham "initiated'' the recycling of aluminium cans three to four years ago near to where the incinerator is currently being built.

Some 75 tons of crushed aluminium and steel cans were sent overseas to recycling centres last year and it is expected more the 200 tons will be sent off by the end of the year, Dr. Terceira said.

"This shows the effort the public are putting into recycling,'' he said.

He added that because of the "overwhelming response and cooperation'' the collection of recyclables from the blue dumpsters around the Island now have to be collected daily and even on weekends.

Sir John encouraged the public to "make even more use of the facility''.

Dr. Terceira added that so far more than 55,000 gallons of waste oil and some 400 batteries had been sent overseas.

The public can drop off bottles, aluminium and steel cans, food tins, newspapers, office paper, waste oil and lead-acid car and boat batteries.

Newspapers will be given to people who need it for animal bedding plus made into compost.

And crushed glass will be given to companies who want to "experiment'' using it to make asphalt and concrete and the rest will be used for landfill, Dr.

Terceira said.

He said he expects door-to-door collection of recyclables will be underway by the end of the year.

After starting up the huge machines, a Works and Engineering spokesman said he believed the noise level would be acceptable to area residents, adding no complaints had been received so far.

TONS OF TIN -- Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira, with Elliott School head girl Kelly Grant and head boy Damien Lightbourne, looks on as cans are conveyed to the crusher at the Devon Springs recycling centre.